Amazing MetroWest art

FRAMINGHAM — An eclectic mix of local artists won most of the awards at the 9th Annual Open Arts Juried Show at the Amazing Things Arts Center (ATAC) recently.

About 30 artists submitted paintings, photographs and mixed media work for the exhibit in the Hollis Street center that has become the town’s principal arts venue with Danforth Art Museum and School and Fountain Street Studios facing uncertain futures.

Rob Meszaros, of Natick, earned Best in Show for his subtle mixed media desert landscape and John Hoey, of Framingham, took first prize for his darkly atmospheric digital photo of an abandoned state institution.

Susan Hong-Sammons, of Boylston, earned second prize for her lush oil portrait, “Lady Nicolette,” and Lauri Rakoff-Chertok, of Framingham, took third place for her dynamic collage, “Stormy Sky at Sunset.”

The free exhibit remains on view through Oct. 28.

A week after learning of his award, Hoey said, “I’m still floating from the judges’ decision to recognize my work."

The 54-year-old molecular biologist photographed an abandoned room in the former Westborough State Hospital by shooting five sequential images and then merging them into one photo that captured the range of light and shadows in his striking work.

“It’s hard to get recognition,’’ he said. “So it’s very inspiring to win. I hope it leads to more connections and more shows.”

Organized by Gallery Coordinator Melanie Christopher and juried by three professional artists with local roots and strong reputations – Sarah Alexander, Rebecca Skinner and Lisa Barthelson - the show offers an engaging combination of innovative and traditional pieces that should satisfy a wide range of viewers.

Christopher said jurors accepted 65 varied works of the 95 submissions for one of the largest shows in recent years.

She attributed the breadth of this show to reach-out efforts to Fountain Street Studios that was closed to the public in April for safety issues.

“We’re trying to make our gallery a place for artists who are just starting out as well as established artists,” said Christopher. “There’s a lot of talent in MetroWest and we’re trying to embrace it.”

Honorable Mention awards were received by Linda McLatchie, of Marlborough, Barney Levitt, of Ashland, Edward Judice, of Framingham, and Tobi Hoffmann, of Ashland.

Kathryn Sarken, of Watertown, received the Fan Favorite award.

Alexander, who teaches at Hopkinton Center for the Arts, said jurors’ varied backgrounds helped them appreciate the “broad range” of paintings, photos and mixed media on display.

The Hopedale resident said she rewards participants’ presentation and technical skill but is especially drawn to singular works that reveal the “artist’s soul.”

Describing herself as “pretty picky,” Skinner carefully examines each work’s “composition, lighting, mood and drama” to find “the most unique work of art that doesn’t look like something I’ve seen before.”

Judging her first ATAC show, Barthelson said she was struck by the amount of good photography but would like to see more sculpture and mixed media work.

“Experimentation is part of the creative process,” said Barthelson. “A show like that is a huge incentive for artists toiling away in their studios.”

Alexander said the jurors “all loved” the subtlety and poetic quality of Meszaros desert scene but were also struck by Hong-Sammons “traditional but beautifully done portrait.”

“It was wonderful there was so much diversity in the show,’’ she said. "And we’re pleased Amazing Things is supporting local artists.”

That should apply to Meszaros, an associate professor of industrial design at Wentworth Institute of Technology who finds time from teaching to show his work in a few local and Boston exhibits every year.

His Best in Show award entitles him to present a solo exhibit of his art at ATAC that will let him display a wider sampling of his work that often features a mix of media such as pastels, charcoal and watercolors.

“It’s rewarding to be recognized by other artists,’’ said Meszaro, who earned degrees in painting and printmaking from Rhode Island School of Design and Boston University. “Preparing a solo exhibit will inspire me.”

A multi-award winning professional artist who has shown her work in more than 30 shows, Hong-Sammons expressed hope her prize will “introduce me to the area and hopefully touch a whole new audience since moving from Chicago.”

Working by direct observation rather than photographs of models, she painted her luminous portrait of a bar manager who resembles an aristocratic noble woman by contrasting in northern light her “peaches and cream complexion with her amazing red hair.”

“My inspiration comes from the natural world and how it can be illuminated by a bit of light,” said Hong-Sammons. “…Our world is not still, it flows.”

Executive Director Ellen Sturgis said ATAC has “refocused our gallery shows to feature MetroWest artists” without excluding exciting works from other parts of the state.

“It’s more important than ever for local artists to have a place to show their work, especially in juried shows that recognize the breadth of talent throughout the region,’’ she said. “We want the public to know you don’t have to go to Boston to see amazing art.”